The foreign ministries of China and the Philippines have found a ‘way to get along’ by banning new construction in the South China Sea as the two nations seek to enhance bilateral ties.
“The Chinese will not occupy new features in the South China Sea nor are they are going to build structures in Scarborough Shoal,” Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana told lawmakers on Tuesday, according to China News Asia. The waters near the shoal are frequented by Philippine fishers, but from 2012 to 2016 China blockaded the area.

Specifically, "there is a status quo now that is happening in the South China Sea brokered by the secretary of Foreign Affairs,"he said, adding "it would be a very serious thing if China will occupy any of the islands."

The two sides are reportedly collaborating on a commercial arrangement to jointly conduct oil exploration and begin drilling for black gold within 12 months’ time, according to Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. Beijing and Hanoi have recently reached heated disagreements over the fate of the Block 136-03 oil and gas field in the South China Sea.

Webmaster's Commentary:

This rapprochement is definitely bringing a sigh of relief for people worried that this relationship would get confrontational, and very quickly.